Governor Northam's COVID-19 Briefing - 2/17/2021

Starting next Monday, the number of spectators allowed at an outdoor sporting event will increase to 250.
- All spectators are still required to remain socially distanced and use face coverings.
Governor Northam says that children will be able to attend overnight summer camps this summer, and that other outdoor events will be able to happen.
- The Northam administration is working with stakeholders to ensure that these events can happen safely during the summer months.
Safety measures will remain in place “for the foreseeable future”, even for those who have already been vaccinated.
- Hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing are still important and effective measures against the virus.

An average of 34,000 shots are being given each day.
- We are getting closer to the goal of 50,000 shots per day, and are ready to achieve that number, as soon as adequate supply is available.
Governor Northam today signed new, emergency legislation to allow more medical professionals to administer shots.
- This includes dentists, medical students, and others.
- The bill also requires vaccinators to collect race and ethnicity data.
  - This is an important step in ensuring equity in the vaccine distribution process

The new, centralized pre-registration website (vaccinate.virginia.gov) was launched yesterday.
- During peak hours, the website was receiving 300 registrations per minute.
240,000 Virginians have signed up to be vaccinated since the launch.
Today, a dedicated call center is being launched. Virginians can call 877-829-4682 to speak to one of the 750 new employees that staff the center, and receive information about the vaccine, or get help with pre-registration.
- The call center will currently prioritize people over the age of 75, and those who do not speak English.
Data from the local health departments has been imported into the new system, meaning that those who have already pre-registered do not need to register again.
The website offers information on which people are currently qualified to receive the vaccine, as well as allowing all Virginians to pre-register.
- Those who pre-register will receive periodic update emails, informing them of when they are able to book an actual appointment.

Virginia has been receiving about 130,000 first doses per week from the federal government.
This is an increase from last month, but still does not meet demand.
The Biden administration announced this week that more doses will now be allocated to the states.
1.4 million total doses have been administered.
12.4% of Virginians have received their first dose.
- This puts Virginia 12th in the country for vaccine distribution.
87% of the doses received have been administered.
- This ranks Virginia 7th in the country for available vaccine usage.

Schools have responded well to Governor Northam’s request that they present plans for in-person learning by March 15.
- All but a few schools have presented plans already, and are continuing to prepare for in-person learning in the spring and summer.